Lamphun closely monitoring haze problem

LAMPHUN, THAILAND, March 17 (TNA) – Governor of Thailand’s northern Lamphun province Phinit Harnpanit has instructed his officials in eight districts to closely monitor the smog situation as the air quality in the province has been over the safety standard for four days. The air quality in the northern province has been measured at 139 microgramme per cubic metre, higher than the safety limit of 120 microgramme per cubic metre. Phinit Sunday Sunday expressed concerns that if the smog situation worsened, people's health, as well as the province's economy and tourism would be affected. Meanwhile, Lamphun Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office reported that it had detected 200 hotspots in the province between March 1-15, 164 of which had already been put out by local authorities. It said the 71 hotspots were detected in protected areas, 83 in national reserve forests and 30 in farming areas. More than 1,100 rais of forestland were damaged by forest fires during the period. (TNA)